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Boynton Beach police sergeant saves suicidal man’s life

Boynton Beach Police Sgt. CaryAnn Matson is being called a hero for saving a man’s life Tuesday night in the department’s lobby.

Matson, who has worked at the department for more than 16 years, was in her office when she heard a clerk in the lobby scream for assistance. A man in his 30s had just walked in and said he needed help. He then threw pills and a razor blade in his mouth and tried swallowing them.

Matson ran to the lobby and helped the man to the ground. She handcuffed him and then saw the blade in his mouth. Matson then pushed the man’s jaw forward so he couldn’t swallow anything.

The man coughed up the razor and most of the pills.

“In my 16 years here that’s the first time it’s ever happened,” Matson said. “Honestly I just reacted. I didn’t feel anything. They called for help, I went out and helped. I just reacted.”

The scene was proof that it’s beneficial to the city to have its police department lobby open throughout the week. Until January, the lobby was open only on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Before he wouldn’t have been able to come through the front door,” Matson said. “He would have never been able to get help.”

The man was taken to a local hospital under the state’s Baker Act. Matson said she went to the hospital to check up on him.

“And it appears he’s going to be alright,” Matson said.

While her coworkers are praising her, Matson says it was just another day at work.

“To me it’s not a big deal I was just doing my job. People I work with have called me their hero,” she said.

a cute, sweet story. lets not forget the other suicidal mental patients who have been gunned down for holding something as simple as a screwdriver. surprised sgt matson didnt 'fear for her safety' at that particular time.